Jefferson’s Chris Beck, a junior pitcher at Georgia Southern, could be taken in the first round or the supplemental portion of the first round of the MLB draft. Photo courtesy of Georgia Southern athletics

Beck could go in first round or supplemental round of Major League draft

CHRIS Beck won’t be making Jefferson history this time — he’s already done that — but this achievement would rank higher.

Back in 2009, Beck became the first-ever (and to this date, only) Dragon selected in the Major League Draft when he was picked up by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round. Beck, who opted for college baseball at Georgia Southern, now stands to be a much higher pick three years later.

The draft starts Monday and runs through Wednesday, with Beck projected as a late first-rounder or a first-round supplemental pick.

The Dragon alum just completed his junior season at Georgia Southern with a 6-7 record and 3.91 ERA as the Eagles finished as runners-up in the Southern Conference tournament.

Beck remains one of Jefferson’s most decorated pitchers, starring for the Dragons from 2006-2009. He is still the career ERA (1.61), wins (31), saves (10) and strikeouts (363) leader at the school.

Stats aside, Knight remembers Beck’s willingness to do whatever it took to get better. It wasn’t limited to pitching either. Knight remembers Beck always asking to take extra grounders or get more practice swings.

“He works his butt off for all that he does,” Knight said.

Then there was Beck’s competitive streak.

“He’s not a good loser,” Knight said. “He really likes to win.”

Knight knew that if Beck grew, he’d be something special beyond high school baseball, calling his upside “unbelievable.”

Indeed, Beck did grow. He’s now 6-3, 235-lb. and throws a fastball that clocks in the low to mid 90s. Knight points to Beck’s sturdy frame.

“He’s big and he’s strong … He can throw deep into ball games because he is so big and so strong,” Knight said.

Beck has proved that durability in college. He enjoyed a superb sophomore season at Georgia Southern, going 9-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 103.2 innings pitched and winning Southern Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. He followed the successful spring of 2011 with a standout performance in the summer of 2011 in the Cape Cod League (2-3 with a 2.12 ERA), leading to some speculation that he may be a top 10 pick in this year’s draft.

Beck’s numbers in 103 innings as a junior were still solid this past spring but perhaps not what draft gurus were expecting, as he’s now listed as a late first-round pick or supplemental pick.

Beck has three “plus pitches,” but his command of those pitches — which was said to be somewhat inconsistent this year — will ultimately determine his fate in professional baseball, according to some reports.

Here’s what bleacherreport.com had to say about Beck.

“Beck has the perfect frame to be a mid-rotation guy at the next level and three solid pitches in a mid-to-low 90s fastball, 12-6 bending curveball and average changeup. He does tend to rely on his fastball in order to set up his other pitches, though, so he has his work cut out for him with respect to his secondary pitches at the next level.”

The report continues: “The biggest level of concern for Beck at this juncture seems to be his command. While he does bear great strikeout abilities, he does tend to leave the ball over the plate. Consequently, he’s held batters to just a .286 BA with a disconcerting .375 BABIP this season.”

Wherever Beck’s next step is or wherever he goes in next week’s draft, the Jefferson baseball program is excited for him. After all, this would be the second time his name has been called in the MLB draft. Knight said Beck’s success continues to make him proud.

“It’s like he’s taking a piece of Jefferson baseball with him,” Knight said.

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